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New Brunswick·Ann's Eye

See photos from a powwow for kids

Students spent a day outside dancing, drumming and singing.

Students dance and drum in Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School powwow

CBC News ·
A woman and a young girl lean towards each other, a potato balanced between their foreheads.
Students from Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School held a powwow in June. (Ann Paul/CBC)

This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You can see more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here.

Powwow season has started, and students at Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School in Fredericton had the chance to celebrate one just for them.

Scroll through the photos and watch the video to learn more. 

WATCH | Students take on candy, potato dances: 

Kids show off style, dance moves for school powwow

9 hours ago
Duration 3:43
Students from Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School held a powwow this month.
A line of people stand outside on the grass underneath a white tent, each holding a pole with a flag attached.
A powwow usually begins with a grand entry, whose members can include dancers, the MC and flag-bearers. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Three girls wearing colourful Indigenous ribbon skirts and regalia stand together outside beating drums.
The school made enough hand drums for all of its students. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Photo on the left: An older man wearing a headdress stands outside smiling, his hands clasped together. Photo on the right: An older woman with long, braided hair and sunglasses stands under a white tent holding a feather.
Chief Allan Polchies, left, of Sitansisk (St. Mary's) First Nation attended the powwow. An organizer, right, performed a smudge ceremony for the children. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Two young boys stand smiling and facing each other, a potato pressed between their foreheads.
These two students were the lucky winners of a potato dance, earning them prizes. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Young girls sit around one large drum, each banging it with their own stick.
Students had a chance to show off the songs they've learned throughout the year. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A young boy wearing red and black Indigenous regalia leads a line of dancing children.
Many different dances can take place at a powwow, including the candy dance, which is usually for children, Ann Paul said. Kids have to dance to earn their bag of candy, and adults can nab the leftovers. 'It’s to encourage the children to come out and dance and show off their style,' Ann said. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Two young boys stand close together, a potato pressed between their faces.
In a potato dance, participants must work with each other to stop the potato from falling. Last dancers standing typically win prizes. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Two young boys stand facing each other, their foreheads pressing into a potato.
Ann Paul remembers winning a potato dance with her sister when she was younger. 'We closed our eyes and just felt each other’s movements when we danced. When we opened our eyes, we were the last ones.' (Ann Paul/CBC)
Three young girls wearing colourful regalia and with their hair in braids stand under a white tent next to an older woman with short, dark hair and wearing a ribbon skirt.
Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School is celebrating its 25th year. (Ann Paul/CBC)

Ann's Eye

Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick. Click here or on the image below to see more of her work. 

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